PRESS RELEASES

Bryant Group Places Assistant Vice Presidents of Health Sciences and Schools and Colleges at University of Washington

Dallas-based executive search and leadership consulting firm Bryant Group conducted nationwide searches resulting in Brad Joutras securing the role of Assistant Vice President, Health Sciences, and Suzanne Rinker securing the role of Assistant Vice President, Schools and Colleges at the University of Washington (UW).

Over his 20 years of experience in fundraising and non-profit management, Brad Joutras has had deep experience partnering with deans and faculty to build multi-faceted cases for support and grew grateful patient pipelines that have led to tens of millions of dollars in philanthropy. His passion for improving people’s lives has been a guiding force in his personal and professional life.

“I look forward to partnering with Tamara Josserand and the dedicated faculty and staff at UW to help raise critical support for the health sciences,” said Brad Joutras.

Over the course of 19 years of higher education and philanthropic experience, Suzanne Rinker has successfully executed strategic and inclusive fundraising initiatives that led to growth and impactful change. As the first college graduate in her family, she has seen education as a powerful catalyst for societal change and has committed her career to advocating for higher education.

“I am thrilled to be joining the development team at the University of Washington and am eager to innovate, collaborate and lead multiple colleges and schools towards transformative growth,” said Suzanne Rinker. “There is tremendous talent within the development team and I look forward to driving forward strategic initiatives, building partnerships and discovering new opportunities to support the great work that is done at UW.”

In their new roles, Brad and Suzanne will each oversee a cohort of units, providing the strategic support and guidance necessary for the fundraising teams to be successful and raise resources that allow the UW to make a positive impact in Washington and the world.  These roles were developed as part of a two-year long organizational strategy designed to position the Advancement enterprise to better serve the modern philanthropic landscape, which requires greater collaboration across a comprehensive university environment.

“Reimagining the UW legacy structure will help ensure our teams receive the tools, resources and guidance they need to foster and grow philanthropic support, allowing the UW to make a positive impact in Washington and the world,” said Tamara Josserand, Vice President for Development, the University of Washington. “Brad and Suzanne have the expertise and passion to provide strategic support for our wonderful fundraising teams to do their best work and thrive. I am thrilled they are joining our UW community.”

Based in Seattle, one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities, the University’s success is interwoven with the city. Thousands of UW alumni and adopted Huskies have partnered with the UW to develop the business, industrial and creative legacy of the Puget Sound region. Home to Amazon, REI, Microsoft, Boeing, Costco and Starbucks, the Seattle area offers a vibrant, innovative and fast-paced environment.

Advancing Great Leadership

Bryant Group, based in Dallas, Texas, and with associates located across the United States, specializes in executive search and leadership consulting for higher education, healthcare and nonprofits with an emphasis on advancement leaders and other executives. In 1988, Bryant Group founder, Chris Bryant, started one of the country’s first search firms specializing in philanthropy recruitment. Now under the leadership of CEO Sally Bryant, the woman-owned firm has a 36-year history of recruiting, developing and coaching great leaders. Bryant Group has impacted more than 10,000 leaders and served more than 270 organizations.